Kabando wa Kabando: Mbeere North win means nothing for Ruto in 2027
Politics
By
Raymond Muthee
| Dec 01, 2025
Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando has downplayed UDA's victory in the Mbeere North by-election, arguing it is no indication of President William Ruto's prospects in 2027.
Kabando accused the ruling party of counting its chicks too early, insisting the constituency has a long history of unpredictable voting patterns.
"Mbeere is very unique. It is the only constituency that has had three by-elections; in 1995, 1999 and 2002. There is no statement about what will happen in 2027. Mbeeres go by clannism, and are the most marginalised part of Mt Kenya region, together with Tharaka," Kabando told The Standard.
He noted that while Mbeere North, Mbeere South and Tharaka voters often choose opposition candidates at the MP level, they typically align with the wider Mt Kenya bloc in presidential elections.
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"In Mbeere South (then Gachoka Constituency), in 1997, the MP, Joe Nyagah, came from the ruling party KANU. But all the votes went to Kibaki."
"Mbeeres vote local, they vote by clan, by village, but when it comes to the presidential vote, they go as one with the Merus, Embus, Kikuyus. The mountain, the shrine, the tower is unshakeable."
The Mbeere North by-election was widely viewed as a key test for UDA amid growing questions about its standing in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region. Critics had predicted the ruling party would struggle in the November 27 by-elections in Malava, Mbeere North and Magarini, citing waning support for Ruto's administration.
However, UDA's Leonard Wamuthende clinched the Mbeere North seat with 15,802 votes, narrowly defeating DP's Newton Karish, who garnered 15,302 votes. Chama Cha Kazi's Duncan Mbui finished a distant third with 2,480 votes.
President Ruto, in a quick response to the win, linked it to what he termed 'a national message'.
"I told you recently, you people who thrive on tribalism and hatred, you who keep shouting one term, Kasongo must go, that is not policy. Go and find real policies. And I told them, if they don't look for policies, they will fall behind," Ruto told Kiambu residents during a development tour just a day after the by-elections.
In the speech laced with political jabs, Ruto added that the results showed that Kenyans had chosen development over the political slogans pushed by his opponents.
Still, Kabando maintained that the 2027 race remains bleak for the president.
"By all signs, by the rebellion within the ruling party in Coast, Western and Mt Kenya and even in Rift Valley, there is no way by vote that Ruto can make it in 2027. It is guaranteed that the opposition will win," he said.